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National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004)

Regulations

Bio-prospecting, Access and Benefit-Sharing Regulations, 2008

Chapter 3 : Material Transfer Agreements, Benefit-Sharing Agreements and the Administration of the Bioprospecting Trust Fund

Part 1 : Agreeements

17. Benefit-sharing agreements

 

(1) Parties  to  a  benefit-sharing  agreement  are  the  applicant  and  the stakeholders referred to in section 82(1)(a) and (b) of the Act.

 

(2) A benefit-sharing agreement must be in the form of Annexure 8 and must comply with subsections 83(1) and (2) of the Act;

 

(3) Before approving a benefit-sharing agreement or an amendment to such agreement, the Minister—
(a) must be satisfied that the agreement is fair and equitable to all parties;
(b) may consult any person competent to provide technical advice on the agreement; and
(c) may invite public comment on the agreement provided that no confidential information is made public.

 

(4) The Minister may refuse to approve a benefit-sharing agreement unless such agreement makes some provision for—
(a) enhancing the scientific knowledge and technical  capacity of persons, organs of state or indigenous communities to conserve, use and develop indigenous biological resources; or
(b) any other activity that promotes the conservation, sustainable use and development of the relevant indigenous biological resources.

 

(5) Permit-holders must lodge a copy of all benefit-sharing agreements with the Director-General, within one month of an agreement being concluded or within one month of any amendments to such agreement being concluded.